Where is Allaah?

Last month we presented clear evidences that Allaah is not everywhere rather AlIaah is high above on His Throne outside of His creation. This is what Allaah says and this was what was taught by His Noble Messenger (peace and blessing of Allaah be upon him). However how did the earlier Muslims (Companions and those who followed them) answer the above question. We should believe that the issue of where Allaah is was never a problem among the sahaabah (Companions) and the salaf (pious predecesors).

The Companions said: ''Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her), the wife of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to claim excellence over the rest of his wives by telling them, It is only your parents who gave you in marriage to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). while it is AlIaah Who gave me in marriage to him from above the seven heavens. (Bukhari)

lbn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said to Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), the wife of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing of AIIaah be upon him) when she was on her death bed: "Of all his wives you were the most beloved to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing of Allaah be upon him), and he used to live only the pure. Allaah, the Exalted sent down your exoneration from above the seven heavens, which was brought down by Jibreel. There is not a single masjid of the masajid of Allaah but the verses of your exoneration (Q2: 1-20) are recited in it day and night: The Salaf (pious predecessors) said: All the four Imaams of the madhaahib (schools of thought) are in agreement that Allaah is not everywhere but on His Arsh, which is above the seven heavens. Imam Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him)

Abu Muti Al-Balkhi reported: "I asked Imam Abu Haneefah about a person who says. I do not know whether my Rabb (Lord) is, above the heavens or ou earth? Abu Haneefah, may AlIaah grant him His mercy, said: A person who makes such a statement becomes an apostate (a disbeliever after belief) because Allaah the Exalted says: The Merciful has ascended above the Arsh (Q20:5), and the Arsh of Allaah is above the heavens. I further asked Abu Haneefah, What if such a person admits, Allaah is above His Arsh, but exclaims do not know whether His Arsh is above the heavens or on earth. Abu Haneefah responded: If he denies that the Arsh is above the heavens. he is an apostate." [Sharhut- Tahawiyyah. p.288]

Imam Malik (may Allaah have mercy on him) Abdullah bin Nafi reported: Malik bin Anas (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Allaah is above the heavens, but His knowledge encompasses . everything. Nothing escapes His knowledge: [Abdullah bin Ahmad, as-Sunnah, and others] Imam Ash-Shaafiee (may Allaah have mercy on him) He said: "The creed which I hold is the same creed the Muslims before me were holding, namely, the Testimony of Faith: There is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allaah that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and that Allaah is above His Arsh, above the heavens. He descends tothe lowest heaven whenever He wishes: [Al-Juyooslz 01- lslamiyyah,lbnal-Qayyim,p.93] Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) He was asked: "Is Allaah above His Arsh. above the seventh heaven. separate from His creatures. and is His knowledge and power encompassing everything. everywhere? He replied: Certainly, He is above His Arsh and nothing escapes His knowledge: [Al-Juyoosh al- Islamiyyag, Ibnal-Qayyim, p. 123]

All of the above show that the entire Muslim Ummah in tile past and present, is in union regarding-the belief that Allaah is on His Arsh above His creation. This should be your firm belief as well. (CONCLUDED)